A Chinese American had offered to adopt an orphan girl in Guangzhou City, the Yangcheng Evening News reported Monday.

The girl, 12, had been living in a senior citizens' center after her father died of tuberculosis Oct. 18. Her mother died when she was only two.

The girl had never gone to school because her father could not even afford to register a hukou, or permanent residence for her. He had not married the girl's mother and registering a hukou for the girl cost extra money.

However, the girl loves studying. She would watch other children doing homework and spent her meager pocket money on books, said the Yangcheng Evening News.

The girl could not enter a children's welfare center, because she has relatives. But they can't afford to support her.

A Chinese American, Mr. Li, offered to adopt the girl after reading newspaper reports about her.

"I could not sleep well for two nights after reading the stories about the girl," said Li, 62, who was a Guangzhou citizen and left the city at the age of 15.

"After talking with my wife, we decided to give the girl another home," said Li, a university professor who lives in California, the U.S.

Although he left Guangzhou 46 years ago, Li can still speak Cantonese very well. He said he would be able to speak Cantonese at home after he adopted the girl.

Li likes the girl also because she loves to study.

"Even in a poor environment, she would not give up studying. She could be my children's model," said Li.

"The girl should have a bright future," he said.

(Shenzhen Daily November 3, 2004)